March 24, 2007
-
Age-Appropriate
I was reading an article about the age-appropriateness of things women do and wear.
The article made reference to a situation where two college age girls were shocked when their aunt pierced her belly button. Apparently the young girls declared that they would remove their belly rings when they reached the age where they had children.
Another woman was mentioned in the article for her thoughts on older women wearing midriffs. She thought that women reach an age where they look inappropriate. Here is the link: Link
Do women get too old for some styles?
Comments (133)
definitely
You would think but why couldn’t they? free country why not…
We all get too old for styles, we should adapt…
Yes. And some styles should never be worn by women of any age.
most definetly
We get too old for certain styles that is, jeans and a t-shirt will never go out.
yeah, but it’s all someone’s opinion. I don’t want to see MY grandmother in 4 inch stilletos and bare midrif tops (and thankfully, neither does she) but some grandmothers feel it’s their right and perogative. When that happens I look away. In disgust.
Some styles, we get too old for, but others are timeless.
yes. men do too.
They do
But then lot of young girls should not not be wearing midriffs and belly rings. If you have a large bully, why do you want to call attention to it?
gosh, yes.
I don’t know that it’s age so much as physical condition. Some women can still look hot at a much older age if they keep in shape.
Most definately… and there should also be a weight limit on spandex…
I think there is a limit. Some styles are simply meant for young girls and noone else. I think when older women try to dress”young” they just end up looking ridiculous.
yup! Just because you can fit into something does not mean you should be wearing it.
I agree with AristotleForDummies, partly. http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=fat
But I think older women look better if they are not anyway.
not hot*
Maybe, maybe not. It depends on how the woman feels when she’s wearing it. Is she doing it just because she wants some attention, or is she wearing what she really wants to wear? That’s the question.
Yes I agree with Kellychicky.
lol
I suppose to some extent that they can.
Yes. And the woman in the picture is a perfect example.
But yeah, for the most part I agree with the writer of the article. I think. Body-appropriate is what’s most important, because some people still look good at 50 and other people don’t ever look good (in certain styles). and i like the comment above that said some styles should never be worn by women of any age. word to that, lol. I also think you need to dress work/job-appropriate. That’s huge. To some extent you should dress your age, yeah, but what that means varies from person to person. So, as long as people are aware of how they look in certain things and are honest with themselves about it, promising to stay away from things that clearly make them look bad (like the writer of the article realized when she was talking about her legs and saying she’d need to buy longer skirts) then I think they’d be fine.
thats pretty icky….. and i think so, my mom is always trying to keep up with the styles of today. she’s 43 and she is wearing skintight jeans, shorts, speghetti straps, and shirts with sayings and whatnot on them.. Maybe it’s just me but she needs to GROW UP.
Maybe it is that some styles are too inappropriate for any age and when those who “shouldn’t” be wearing the style do where the style, it just highlights the original notion.
Some of us can pull anything off
Yes and No.
But then I have to agree with that part in the article where it mentions “body shape” that’s definitely important.
Yes and I agree 100% with saintvi. Some things shouldn’t be worn at any age.
Hell yes.
I always believe in wearing clothes that suit you age. I don’t understand some grandmas wearing clothes meant for teenagers!
Typo: *your age
i think it depends. some older women can pull these sort of styles off, some can’t.
Ryc: Thanks Dan!
yep
LOL! I think that most of us change a bit as we age. (in my case, we gain some weight) I wouldn’t wear styles that show my midriff off! No one needs to see my extra blubber around my waist! Conversely, if I were in better shape (and had never had children…) I would wear what looked flattering!
I don’t think it is an age thing as much as a “do I look good in this” thing! By all means, if you look good in something – wear it!
Not for some styles, but seriously. People aren’t always too OLD for things. Sometimes they’re too YOUNG. But yes, those can be a little creepy. Seeing your grandma wearing a midriff bearing top with a belly ring. That’s like seeing your six year old walk around in a tube top and short shorts.
No mini skirts after age 35!
Duh, anyone who watches What Not to Wear knows that.
absolutely
yes for some styles…
Wear Whatever’s You. Regardless of what others think. . .
Some styles should never be worn… period.
I’ll never get old
… I can’t help by be reminded of the older, unfit fellow that roamed the beach in a speedo. *shudders* It’s not age as much as just appropriateness.
yes
Yes. It’s kind of disturbing how my mom has now permanately borrowed clothes that I used to wear in middle school.
ur homepage is msn, isn’t it?
Yes. I mean, you wouldn’t see a 20 year old dressed like a child. The outgrew that age, and they should never go back. It’s the same with an older person – they shouldn’t go back to their youth. At least not in that way… I find it gross sometimes… I mean, if they have the body then MAYBE – but a lot of them don’t. Then you see them and think “eww”.
Sure, although I don’t really like those styles either and I’m twenty.
Depends on whether or not they look too old for the style.
http://www.lost.eu/30369
dude. my mom has spiky magenta hair, her tongue pierced, and wears spiked collars. freeeeeak.
I think it is common sense. I agree though that some styles are not even cute on the younger girls. I worked at a tanning salon when I was younger and there was this one old lady (probably 60ish) that would come in wearing some of the most interesting outfits….obviously way beyond her time…..I thought it was funny honestly. She so thought she was “it”.
I think so; but I’ve also seen some young girls who are simply not built for the tight clothes, hip-hugging jeans, and short shirts they wear.
dude. my mom has spiky magenta hair, her tongue pierced, and wears spiked collars. freeeeeak. i think i get my purple hair from her side of the family.
wtf. stoooopid router reset. ><
Trust me, yes.
Yeah, but a lot of styles are really dumb to begin with, like stretch pants, belly shirts, sweat pants, etc, etc, really low rise jeans when you’re sorta fat….I could go on.
Some people are too young for some styles too.
Definitely yes.
If you can pull it off, and people outside of your family/friends don’t know/won’t guess your age… pfft, do whatever you want!
If you’re over 10 and not Japanese, Hello Kitty backpacks are right out, regardless of how hot you are.
Women who wear stuff they shouldn’t just make themselves look foolish and less attractive, embarassing the people around them who know them. However, they may have the great fortune of attracting the bottom feeders out there. But hey, they get attention, right?
The simple question is…
“Is it FLATTERING?”
No tattoos and piercings for me! I am too old. I’ll stick with giant baggy cargo pants and glowsticks, I mean come on, belly shirts and stillettos?
That is just ridiculous…
Never thought I’d see myself say this, but I agree with Paige 100%.
But like someone else said, the same applies for guys.
Oh, puuullleeesssee! First, I am not seeing anyone mention men at all. Second, what a woman wants to wear is her business. Granted, it might not look good on her, but it is her choice. Third, it may not even be something like showing her midriff, or a piercing, women AND men, have issues as they get older. The hair thing is crazy. Guys…just shave it off. Women, if you’re 80 years old…get rid of the black wig. Face some facts, look for outfits that make you feel young, but are age-appropriate. Find something fun and well put together. Mish-mosh just won’t do. I see many VERY sexy swimsuits that are one piece. It would help a lot if designers would actually design clothes for the real person and real activities. And as far as piercing or tattoos go, I intend to get a “tat” within the year.
Yes, we get too old for some styles, just as there are styles that some are too young for–there’s a lot that children shouldn’t be wearing as well!
I don’t care how fly you look at 50, I don’t even care if you have the body of a 20 year old, you still can’t get away with a style appropriate for a 20-year old. Just watch What Not to Wear on TLC. Though I would like to add that fit is also really important.
I’d say rumba pants are out past the age of two.
Nope.. we don’t get too old for things. Society deems it too old for us. IF I had an awesome abdomen that was trim and well toned I wouldn’t be ashamed to bare my stomach in a midrif baring shirt. WE get older but we’re not dead to wanting to look good and feel good. Kids who can’t handle their parents dressing the way they want and feel good in need to grow up. IF you look bad in anything you shouldn’t wear it. I got my first tattoo at age 40. My kids didn’t think it was stupid and they prefer me to look in style than like an old over the hill frumpy dumpy Mom.
Definitely. I’m 22 and there are certain styles that I used to wear when I was a teen (micromini) that I won’t wear anymore. I look like I’m trying too hard.
I think I agree with the idea of body-appropriate clothing, and situational (work, tropical holidays, etc.).
I agree with AristotleForDummies, partly. http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=fat
But I think older women look better if they are not anyway.
Posted 3/24/2007 9:13 AM by Tallon5
Man, you quote Maddox and you WIN. Good job.
Diapers. They only look good on a woman under 4 or over 65.
Yes they do, but I especially wish someone would tell the older guys with paunches that Speedos are a BAD IDEA. My kids are still somewhat traumatized after a trip to the local waterpark. This guy’s overhang almost completely covered the skimpy suit. Bleahhugh.
yeah it does happen … like mini skirts after 35 are a no-no!! skimpy tanks … also a NO. short shorts. NO .. in other words if a 35 yr old women is shopping in the 10-18 yr old section of the store , unless its for their kids , they should not be there. plain and simple.
Yeah, but I think both of the two “fashion” statements you mentioned are anything but style-ish.
Yup!
Some styles are inappropriate for anyone.
Yes, of course we do. Men do as well. I cringe when I see my dad shopping at Old Navy.
oh hellz yeah. men to too, but to a lesser extent
definately
I condsider myself a basically modest person, and I don’t think it’s appropriate to wear midriffs at all…ever. Even if you have a nice body. That being said, my 40 something year old aunt (with 5 kids, and a total of 4 husbands) has her belly button pierced, and she also lays out in the nude. I think that’s pretty horrible, and her children are mortified.
God yes, and so do men
oh my, yes. but it’s not just women. no one wants to the 40-something guy in the gym at the ymca in the tight tank top and short shorts. yeah, he’s muscular, but stuff’s a little saggier than it used to be.
I have not bought my bright red lipstick, red hat, purple skirt or shocking green shirt yet…so I guess that I am not to old…even tho I do wear t-shirts and jeans…those will never go outta style, thank goodness…but some t-shirts are for the younger set…as for peircings and tatoos…that’s for other people not me…besides all that if’n one is comfortable they should wear it…have a good one…Smile
I think it’s more of a matter of body-appropriate and work-appropriate.
Not all trends or styles.
Fashion is fickle. I agree- some people can pull it off. I have a bigger problem with looking too young for my clothes. I work in an office, and it’s always been very difficult to find things that meet the “code” without making me look frumpy- or like I am wearing my mother’s clothes to work. Now that I am starting a new job, it’s even harder- I just sank a lot of money into “professional clothes,” but, I feel like a kid playing dress up when I put them on. Meanwhile, even clothes sold as “business casual” for my age group has some element that screams “hootchie mama” to the older, more conservative people that I tend to work with.
It’s all in how you wear it. I’m 22 years old and my mother, who’s 42, has her belly button pierced. It doesn’t look trashy at all, because she doesn’t carry herself that way. She didn’t do it to try to be young, or to regain her youth. She did it because she wanted it, and it looks amazingly classy. Far better than on anyone my age.
definitely
Yeah. Like who wants to see some old broad wearing stilleto’s, an assymetrical halter and skinny jeans. Seeeriously.
god ! they sure do. they also seem to lose any sense of good taste !
Totally. I think most women do not cover up enough either.
YES.
That said, my aunt got her belly button pierced a few years ago, and she’s the type that can pull it off. But I find myself thinking, at 26, that I’m now getting “too old” to go get a tattoo.
BTW, I’m also contemplating taking out my belly button ring. I’ll definitely do so once I get pregnant. I’ve had it since I was 20, and I think it’s kinda run its course…
Sadly, yes…when you’re older you are thought of as more mature and wise, so you should be wearing sensible things.
YES
Its not age, its physical appearance. I remember this commercial for some excercise machine where a 50 year old woman had a bikini body. Hey, if you look good, flaunt it.
But then again, don’t dress sexy if you know that your grandkids, nieces/nephews, etc. are gonna be around.
oh definitely
Yeah. Its kind of icky.
But I think you can get a peircing at any age and it will still be acceptable. My science teacher is getting her nose peirced and shes like, 48.
Of course there are things that are age appropriate. I think young girls would look silly wearing the things Laura Bush wears. Then again, it works both ways.
I loved that article-it made me laugh so hard…I have had belly jewelry long before those kiddos were around…the only difference is no one knew. I did it for it’s beauty and to share with the one I married, not to show off in public.
And I agree with some of the others, there are just some styles no woman should wear! Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. However sometimes it’s hard to find stuff that is “age appropriate”. I am almost 50 yet I still wear juniors sizes. I can dig my jeans and t-shirts out of their dept, but I really don’t want to wear most of the other stuff even tho I can. Yet I don’t really fit into a misses either. Sometimes it’s just tough.
i think that some styles that are out yes. i say it all depends on the woman and how she feels about it. i feel 50/50 on this subject. i know that are some styles i won’t wear when i am older. i have seen some older woman with their belly buttons pierced that looked ok. but like i said i am 50/50.
charliesgirl_21 (jess)
yeah. I would think it would be digusting to see a 85 year old lady in a tube top and miny skirt. don’t you?
for some, it’s an attempt at retaining fading youth. it’s the same as a young girl dress too old. so yes, there does come a time when a woman is too old for a style.
YES! Some styles look plain silly! How would I look with a binky in my mouth? It’s the same concept!
Unless your still really in shape (and i mean you have to look under 33), it looks inappropriate.
Yes and no, I think it depends on the person wearing the clothes.
yeahha!!! do you really want a 80 year old woman walking aroung in abercrombie && firch
fitch*
It depends.
I want all those that think 40 is old to remember what they wrote when they are 40 and don’t feel old.
Yeah.
of course, same for men.
Age does have some to do with it but it really comes down to the shape that the woman is in. There are 20 year olds who have not had children yet that should keep them selves covered, but for some unknown reason they act like they just have to show their rolls off.
I’d like to say that age is a state of mind,
BUT I know what you’re getting at.
Still, even if it looks ridiculous to the rest of us, if granny wants to do it, I say “Go For It!”
I’ll ask a 60 year old man with a shaved head and a sportscar what he thinks about it. I wonder why the question is genderized. Men can dress and behave under their ages, too, you know. It looks just as stupid, but no one talks much about it because for some reason, in this culture, it is tantamount to criminality when women don’t look aesthetically pleasing to the male gaze. Why the double standard?
Yeah, I think so…but no one should be wearing shirts that show their belly anyways.
yes. sagging peircings and low riding jeans on old ladies do not look good.
are u kiding me? there is a “too old” for mini skirts and tank top. im sorry but there is
Um…yes. Just think….We grow out o nappies and one piece sleep suits. Why wouldn’t we grow out of belly shirts and hot pants?
Oh dear….YES!!!! Please make them stop!! AH! My eyes!! Haha.
Do men?
you may think so, but you cant stop them from wearing things.
Yes, everyone does, plus some of us just don’t want to wear cloth that we did 20 years ago, funny how i say this and i’m only 14
some people are jus too old for some styles…
…there are some things people jus dont wanna see other people wearin
Plz leave a comment on my xanga.
I’d likt to give some motivations for my friend for dieting!
Thank you!
‘Mutton dressed up as a Lamb” comes to mind
Definately.
Some styles are inappropriate for certain ages but some women just choose to overlook that…
yea, my mom dresses more revealing than i do. i hate it because guys my age think she’s hott. it’s not that i’m jealous, more embarassed. i wish she could learn to wear dress suits or something, instead of looking like some biker chick with leathery skin. yuuuck.
<3 micalyn
Everyone’s got the right to wear whatever they want to wear; it’s just that it’s not socially accepted. I admit that I cringe when I see an old lady trying to flaunt things… *shudders* but it’s also a problem for little girls… especially around Halloween time, when they all want to be Paris Hilton or Britney Spears…
Wow, I’ve loved looking at all these comments and articles. Obviously (to me) old women should not dress in popular clothes that young girls today wear. There is a line, however fine it may be. Young girls should also not dress like old women, in my opinion.
“The style-confident women I know say that the idea of age-appropriate dressing has no meaning for them; it’s more about body-appropriate dressin.” I very much agree.
I thought about this as I was shopping yesterday. I’m 46, and I still like to wear stylish, “fun” clothes. I’m not a grandma, I still have young kids, I dress modestly (but fun and kind of offbeat, when casual) and I’m nowhere NEAR ready to doom myself to the dreary, boring, boxy striped nautical tops or tiny floral or plaid boxy blouses that I saw out there yesterday for “women my age” in the misses department. Everything was so plain. It was so depressing! Who wants to be frumpy? I think “older” women can still have fun with clothes…tasteful and appropriate for the occasion, and the physique, is the key.
That being said, I will not get a tattoo or wear midriff tops or do the belly ring thing, but then I wouldn’t do that anyway.
Sure, but some of those things, I find generally distasteful.
well, in the examples you mentioned, I think no woman is the appropriate age for. showing midriff and having belly button rings for show isn’t just part of a style, its an attention getter.
as for appropriate styles, are there some that look better on younger women? yes. should older women not be allowed to wear them or be laughed at for doing so? no.
Yes, yes, yes, YES. Some body types should never wear certain styles…my opinion.
Yes and no … depending on how they look. I can get away with junior clothes
Can a girl wear jeans and a maternity top? Yes, if I am the girl, 57 years old, and going into the office of incompetent doctor. He cannot see the bulge in my abdomen. That isn’t all. He was wrong last year, too,. He knew about my being pregnant, yet he did not help me with a positive pregnancy result from a (ugh!) pregnancy test. Even the pelvic exam was botched that he did.. Now, he is doing it again. He can’t admit he’e been wrong, and he just hopes I will just die of childbirth, what with me not getting any help. I am going elsewhere with it.Wearing maternity clothes, YES.
it’s a question of looking tacky or regal. come ON. I wanna be a glamour queen, but when I hit that age….I’m gonna let my kid have her turn…